Happy Friday everyone, I hope you're having a great week! I've still got a smile on my face after attending the first-ever open mic night at Laurel's school last night. It was so great to see both kids and grownups performing, including the debut of Laurel's band. Crazy fun! Meanwhile, are you excited for the weekend? If you're looking for something to do, here are 27 options, lovingly curated for your consideration. Have a wonderful weekend!

1. Opening day of the KEVA exhibit. (Acton)

2. A celebration of young children. (Ashland)

3. Join Project Bread and walk for hunger. (Boston)

4. A touching live performance looking to end the stigma of mental illness. (Boston)

5. Art show and sale featuring local homeless and low-income artists. (Boston)

6. Get jazzy in Boston all weekend long. (Boston)

7. A day to celebrate a rainbow of repair, reuse, and recycling. (Boston)

8. The final weekend for The Diary of Anne Frank children’s show. (Boston)

9. The Grand Parade of the 20th Century. (Boston)

10. Brewster, MA is blooming. (Brewster)

11. A trivia event for the whole family. (Cambridge)

12. BC is racing to educate. (Chestnut Hill)

13. Daytime bedtime stories and a vintage baseball game. (Concord)

14. It’s not quite May the 4th yet but celebrate Star Wars Day anyway. (Easton)

15. A spring farm festival. (Easton)

16. Patriot Place is painting its streets. (Foxborough)

17. South Shore International Film Festival. (Hingham)

18. It’s a great day to shear some sheep. (Hingham)

19. Grammy nominated The Pop Ups perform. (Natick)

20. Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary student art show. (Natick)

21. Gently used clothes and gear sale. (Needham)

22. Smolak Farm opens for the season with FREE hay rides. (North Andover)

23. Spend the weekend immersed in poetry. (Salem)

24. Celebrate International Family Equality Day. (Somerville)

25. Support your community and this independent bookstore. (Wellesley)

26. Music MAYnia providing music for all. (Winchester)

27. A girls night out at the Ecotarium. (Worcester)

Image credit: Mass Audubon

It's time to explore the world again! Remember the fun posts offering inspiration to learn about Polish, Brazilian, and German culture? The fourth post in this editorial series with au pair agency Cultural Care Au Pair focuses on Sweden. Here are 13 ways to introduce your family to Swedish culture. And as with the other culture posts, for my readers outside of Massachusetts, there are a number of recommendations below that can be enjoyed from anywhere!

*** VISIT ***

1. The Scandinavian Cultural Center in West Newton is a hub for Nordic cultural activities. The center hosts notable Scandinavian speakers, shows cultural movies, and is home to the Kaffestugan coffee shop where you can enjoy Scandinavian treats. The Center is also home to The Scandinavian Library where you can take Swedish language classes.

*** SING & DANCE ***

2. Are you a pop music fan? I was totally intrigued by Nolan Feeney's article Why Is Sweden So Good at Pop Music? (written in honor of Ace of Bace's 20th anniversary of The Sign).

3. Love dancing? See if you can pull of the Polska, a traditional Swedish dance. 

*** CELEBRATE ***

4. Mark your calendar for the Swedish Yuletide celebration December 5, 2015!

5. Also handy for getting festive in Swedish style around the holidays is A Swedish Christmas: Simple Scandanavian Crafts, Recipes, and Decorations.

*** SHOP ***

6. Enjoy Swedish and Scandinavian food at A Swedish Shop in West Bridgewater. The shop includes jewelry and traditional crafts to look through while visiting this little store.

7. From Swedish tea biscuits to troll and Viking trinkets, The Gift Chalet offers a wide array of Scandanavian gifts.

*** EAT & CRAFT ***

8. Shake up your breakfast with these tasty Swedish pancakes.

9. Make a Viking out of a toilet paper roll!

10. Get the whole family to make Swedish flags by sponge painting.

*** READ ***

11. Learn more about Sweden, Greenland, and other Nordic countries through D is for Dala Horse: A Nordic Countries Alphabet.

12. Ronia, the Robber's Daughter, by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, tells the story of Ronia, who lives with her father and a band of robbers in a castle in the woods. Follow her adventures as she befriends a rival robber’s son.

13. Another Astrid Lindgren classic is The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking, a great story about a spunky nine-year-old girl who lives alone (with a monkey) in a wacky house.

So fun, right? Enjoy exploring Sweden and I'm excited to share more cultural educational material over the coming months. Also, if you are interested in learning more about au pair childcare, you can check out the Cultural Care Au Pair tables at one of these upcoming family-friendly cultural events: the International Festival in Hingham (May 2) and IFED – International Family Day in Somerville (May 3).

+ + + + +

Disclosure: This post reflects a sponsored editorial partnership with Cultural Care Au Pair. Cultural Care Au Pair is a leading provider of intercultural childcare and educational exchange. Since 1989, Cultural Care Au Pair has placed more than 90,000 au pairs in American homes. Hosting an au pair offers many benefits, one of which includes the opportunity for your family to learn about another country's culture.

Image credits: 1) flag via Wikipedia; 2) compilation graphic by Christine Koh with images via linked sources above.

I've long been a fan of Room to Grow's amazing work, and I'm delighted to be doing a Q&A with founder Julie Burns at their Celebrating Mothers Breakfast on May 8. This fundraising event will celebrate Room to Grow's incredible 10 years of helping families in need in Boston, and also honor the moms in the program who work so hard to create solid ground for their kids. Please support this amazing organization buy buying a ticket and joining us May 8, and of course come say hello -- I would love to meet you!

Happy Monday everyone, I hope you had a fantastic weekend and a great end to April vacation. Laurel had a wonderful, relaxed vacation week (guitars! bowling! jammies all day!) and yesterday, we all got to soak in the beauty of Ipswich while I ran the North Shore 10 Miler. Such a gorgeous, perfect day for a race, even though it didn't go 100% as I had hoped! I hope you have a great week on tap; let's kick it off with the Weekly Blueprint!

April 27: Learn the fine art of cheesemaking. (Sturbridge)

April 29: Capture the appearance of water in a flip book. (Lincoln)

April 30: Learn about all that plants need to grow and make your own terrarium. (Acton)

April 30: Get out for a hike with baby on board. (Sudbury)

May 1: Find out what it’s like to be a real scientist on a FREE Friday night at the Discovery Museums. (Acton)

May 1: Sing, dance and move to live music at the Jeff Jam dance party. (Boston)

May 1: A May Day moonlight hike. (Hadley)

May 1: See Rockport come alive at night. (Rockport)

May 1: Awaken your senses at Gore Place. (Waltham)

May 1 - 3: Spend the weekend immersed in poetry. (Salem)

Image credit: The Trustees of Reservations

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you're having a wonderful vacation week! We didn't travel but the week has completely zipped by; if you're looking for things to do today, refer to the April vacation mega-roundup! And there's plenty on tap for this weekend. Enjoy this roundup of 26 events, lovingly curated for your consideration! And please be sure to check out this simple (and laugh inducing!) way to help lift kids out of poverty, here at home and abroad.

1. Meet Kodiak the Bernese Mountain Dog and his therapy dog friends. (Acton)

2. JCA Orchestra with special guests Strings Theory Trio. (Allston)

3. Birth stories take center stage at this slam. (Allston)

4. Spring art is in bloom at the MFA. (Boston)

5. Children’s adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank. (Boston)

6. Boston’s Urbanity Dance showcase. (Boston)

7. Get out the hammer and nails for Construction Workshop. (Boston)

8. Especially for Me FREE evening at the museum for families with children on the autism spectrum. (Boston)

9. Planting trees in the unique urban wild. (Boston)

10. A free Fenway open house. (Boston) 

11. Everybody Love Pirates! (Brookline)

12. Family day at Holly Hill Farm. (Cohasset)

13. Framingham Earth Day Festival. (Framingham)

14. Vernal pools are totally cool. (Framingham)

15. Earth Day coastal clean up. (Manchester)

16. Get outside and stare at the stars. (Marshfield)

17. The Nantucket Daffodil Festival is in full bloom. (Nantucket)

18. A children’s opera version of Hansel and Gretel. (Newton)

19. What could a tree tell us if it could talk? (Salem)

20. It’s princess and frog day at the museum. (Stoneham)

21. Kayaks and canoes have the run of the Charles. (Various locations)

22. Work for wildlife at this statewide volunteer day. (Various locations)

23. It’s healthy kids day at the YMCA. (Various locations)

24. The 28th annual Gore Place sheepshearing festival. (Waltham)

25. This family day will teach you how text and image interact. (Wellesley)

26. Vegetarians unite at the New England Veg Fest. (Worcester)

Image credit: Daffodil Festival

Hello folks, I hope you're enjoying the gorgeous weather! It's been the perfect weekend for soccer games, yard work, outdoor adventures, and of course welcoming so many athletes and spectators to this beautiful city for the Boston Marathon. I'm sending so many good wishes for this city tomorrow! Meanwhile, enjoy this April vacation mega-roundup, and please come meet me and Gabrielle Blair at Trident Booksellers on Tuesday!

ACTON: An Earth Day celebration.

ARLINGTON: Spectacular art activities this vacation week.

BOSTON: Color in motion at Isabella Gardner Museum.

BOSTON: The 119th Boston Marathon.

BOSTON: School vacation is revolutionary at the Old State House.

BOSTON: Recognizing the 240th anniversary of Paul Revere’s midnight ride all week.

BOSTON: Goodwill projects and crafts, inspired by the early life of Mary Baker Eddy.

BOSTON: The kids get their very own marathon at the museum.

BOSTON: It’s Earth Day at the museum.

BOSTON: The Ecology of Sound live performance by Ricardo Frota.

BOSTON: Music and movement in English and Spanish with Mariana Iranzi.

BOSTON: A wild school vacation week at the zoo.

BOSTON: An Earth Day party for the planet.

BOSTON: Artistic adventures at the MFA.

BOSTON: Come meet me and Design Mom at Trident!

CAMBRIDGE: The 2015 Cambridge Science Festival.

CONCORD: Patriot’s Day reenactments.

CONCORD: FREE drop in family art days.

CONCORD: Special events at Orchard House for Little Women fans.

EASTON: Get your mini makers over to the children’s museum.

GLOUCESTER: A Cape Ann staycation of outdoor adventures.

GROTON:  Learn to bike camp for children with special needs.

IPSWICH: Become a farmer for the week.

LEOMINSTER: Celebrate Earth Day and receive your very own tree sapling to plant.

LEXINGTON: Craft workshops and cooking classes.

LEXINGTON: Patriot’s Day reenactments.

LINCOLN: Vacation activities at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum.

NANTUCKET: The Nantucket Daffodil Festival kicks off.

NEWTON: Weaving workshops at the Jackson Homestead and Museum.

PLYMOUTH: Make your own history at Plimoth Plantation.

SALEM: Spread your branches and celebrate the return of spring.

SOMERVILLE: Independent Film Festival Boston.

STONEHAM: Stone Zoo gets wild this week.

STURBRIDGE: School vacation the old fashioned way.

WORCESTER: Build It! For a Greener Tomorrow.

Image credit: Peabody Essex Museum

Happy Friday everyone! I apologize for being light on posting this week. I was in Chicago for a couple of days to serve as part of the media team to kick off a really wonderful charity initiative and my editorial planning went a little off the rails since I wanted to make up time away from the girls when I returned. Anyway, enjoy these 21 weekend events, lovingly curated for your consideration. And be sure to check back for the April vacation mega-roundup!

1. A swashbuckling adventure and pirate mystery. (Amherst)

2. Spring food festival on the Greenway. (Boston)

3. Become a junior ranger. (Boston)

4. Book reading with illustrator Renee Kurilla. (Boston)

5. Children’s performance of The Diary of Anne Frank. (Boston)

6. Nothing stinks about the sense of smell day. (Boston)

7. Meet the string section of the New England Philharmonic. (Boston)

8. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about composting. (Boston)

9. Marathon weekend kicks off. (Boston)

10. A Saturday jam with Ethan and the Jamberries. (Brookline)

11. Harvard celebrates the Boston Marathon. (Cambridge)

12. All about vernal pools. (Gloucester)

13. An Earth Day family festival and FREE admission. (Harvard)

14. A day of outdoor scientific discovery. (Lincoln)

15. An open house and sheep shearing. (Princeton)

16. The Revere Spring Carnival. (Revere)

17. Hammer, clamp, saw and paint your own wooden creations. (Salem)

18. An interactive journey around the globe using stories, music, dance and poetry. (South Boston)

19. Celebrate spring and prep the fields the old fashioned way. (Sturbridge)

20. So much to do outdoors this weekend. (Various locations)

21. Contemporary artists explore samurai in popular culture. (Worcester)

Image credit: Old Sturbridge Village

I recently shared about Gabrielle Blair's brilliant new book Design Mom: How to Live With Kids: A Room-by-Room Guide (which, by the way, is the #1 best seller in Home Design & Construction on Amazon!). And now I'm cordially inviting you to Gabby's Boston book tour stop at Trident Booksellers & Cafe Tuesday, April 21, 7pm. I'll be leading a Q&A with Gabby and there will be goody bags, treats, mingling, and you can get your book signed by (and no doubt snap a selfie with!) Gabby. Come join us for a fun evening!

Image credit: Seth & Kendra Smoot

Happy Monday everyone, I hope you had a lovely weekend! It was insanely wonderful to spend so much time outdoors this weekend -- going for a long run without 20 layers on, buying flowers and mulch at the garden store, helping with our school's spring spruce up, and enjoying our first grilling and outdoor dinner of the season. Yay for simple pleasures! Meanwhile, it's time to kick off the week. Enjoy this roundup of events via the Weekly Blueprint:

April 13: Navigate your way from diapers to diploma. (Acton)

April 13 - 17: It’s the Week of the Young Child so brain building is in progress. (Boston)

April 13 - 18: Take an interactive journey around the globe using stories, music, dance and poetry. (Boston)

April 15: Toddler story time on the farm. (Waltham)

April 15: Even adults love to play with Legos. (Somerville)

April 16: Get outdoors with baby on board. (Natick)

April 16: Get your your bangles and legwarmers, it’s art and the 80’s. (Salem)

April 17: Special night at the museum for families with children on the Autism spectrum. (Easton)

April 17: The Art of Baseball exhibit opens. (Concord)

Image credit: Gore Place